A nepenthe for my soul
The hermit brought to me;
Unbeckoned and uncalled for,
But just the remedy.
“Drink my dear,” he said to me,
“And all will soon be well;
I heard your soul calling out
As from grace it fell.”
I took the bottle in my hands
And put it to my lips,
But, Hesitating, as I do,
He guided my fingertips.
The fiery liquid warmed my soul,
And quickened all my thoughts,
“I told you do not fret, my dear;
You think all that you ought.”
And at these words, I saw him now,
And recognized his face:
The other half of my shadow,
That did not fall from grace.
I think I smiled wider,
Than I had done before,
As I filled with knowledge,
I used to have and more.
I remembered, in that moment,
Whom I used to be,
And my future flickered,
Like a light upon the sea
(From the nepenthe’s remedy).
I thanked the hermit for his kindness;
It was nice to see his face,
And I got up with mindfulness,
And put my shadow in its place.